I Just Couldn't Take It Anymore

You might want to copy and paste some of these words. Print them out. Email them to yourself. Today's post is something that we all need to hear and be reminded of on a daily basis. I am blessed and humbled to get to wake up each day and do ministry. Yes, I work a business job Monday-Friday, but no matter what, my days are always sprinkled with ministry. I am humbled the most when I get feedback like, "That was awesome!" "I needed that!" "How did you come up with that?" and "You did great!" Most often, what I am able to share in ministering to others is the volume of what the Lord has downloaded into my spirit to minister to me first! The credit always goes to Him, I am just a willing tool, a weapon in His arsenal that He knows he can use anytime. 

This morning, before I left for work, He spoke something powerful into my spirit. I was walking our puppy, Peyton Manning. Yes, I know. We are Giants fans-- but my nephew is named Eli.  I couldn't name the puppy Eli!! Plus PM is awesome. Horrible at commercials, but awesome on the field. Okay, I am getting off track. 

Here is Peyton as a puppy. It was just starting
to snow flurry to begin his first snow!

So I was walking him, admiring the beautiful fall foliage around my home. Just a few moments into the walk, I noticed I had  a little pebble in my boot. Mind you, I had knee high leather boots on. It must have gotten in there somehow before I ever put my boots on. I have no idea how it got in there, but it was there. Each time I took a step, I was stepping on this little rock. I convinced myself I would finish walking him and then remove my boot and the pebble when I got back inside. As the walk went on, he peed and played with the leaves. I continued walking trying to adjust my foot so the impact would be different or better when I stepped. 

"I just couldn't take it anymore!"

As I tried to convince myself, "It's just a tiny little rock!", the Lord spoke clearly into my spirit. "A tiny little rock in your shoe can affect the whole race." Wait, what Lord?  "A tiny little rock in your shoe can affect the whole race." These words resonated in my spirit and I pondered their meaning. I was only walking the puppy with this rock in my boot. Imagine if I had kicks on and had to run a marathon. That tiny little rock would become a huge weapon and would totally affect the outcome of the race. 

How true is this in spiritual context?? Often, we are focused on the big huge "visible" obstacles in our lives when what is really holding us back are little rocks that no one can really see. We harbor little rocks of un-forgiveness, shame, pride, manipulation....the list could go on and on! 

So what does this have to do with you? I encourage you to let the Lord search your heart today. What kind of little rocks do you have in your boot? They may be things that seem small to others, but these small things can affect your whole race. Just like I did this morning, take off your boot and remove the little things that are causing pain or holding you back. Some things your friends and family may be able to point out, but most little rocks are not visible. They are things only you may know. 

1 Peter 5:7 says, "Cast all your cares upon the Lord, because He cares for you." 

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Be encouraged. Cling closely to Matthew 11:28-30 and ask the Lord to show you the little things you haven't completely taken out of your boot yet!